User control device with cantilevered display

ABSTRACT

A thermostat includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual media and receive user inputs, and processing electronics configured to operate the touch-sensitive display. The housing includes a base and a display mount. The base includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, a first side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, and a second side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define an internal volume. The display mount is cantilevered upward from the top wall and includes a mounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of the base. The housing is not opaque. The display is attached to the mounting surface and is not opaque. The processing electronics are positioned within the interior volume.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/156,868, filed May 4, 2015, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/247,672, filed Oct. 28, 2015, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/260,141 filed Nov. 25, 2015, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/274,750, filed Jan. 4, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/275,199, filed Jan. 5, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/275,202, filed Jan. 5, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/275,204, filed Jan. 5, 2016, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/275,711, filed Jan. 6, 2016, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to user control devices andmore particularly to thermostats for controlling a building or space'sheating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

A thermostat is, in general, a component of an HVAC control system.Traditional thermostats sense the temperature or other parameters (e.g.,humidity) of a system and control components of the HVAC system in orderto maintain a set point for the temperature or other parameter. Athermostat may be designed to control a heating or cooling system or anair conditioner. Thermostats are manufactured in many ways, and use avariety of sensors to measure temperature and other desired parametersof a system.

Conventional thermostats are configured for one-way communication toconnected components, and to control HVAC systems by turning on or offcertain components or by regulating flow. Each thermostat may include atemperature sensor and a user interface. The user interface typicallyincludes display for presenting information to a user and one or moreuser interface elements for receiving input from a user. To control thetemperature of a building or space, a user adjusts the set point via thethermostat's user interface.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including ahousing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual mediaand receive user inputs, and processing electronics configured tooperate the touch-sensitive display. The housing includes a base and adisplay mount. The base includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wallconnecting the top wall to the bottom wall, a first side wall connectingthe top wall to the bottom wall, and a second side wall connecting thetop wall to the bottom wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, the firstside wall, and the second side wall define an internal volume. Thedisplay mount is cantilevered upward from the top wall and includes amounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of the base. The housingis not opaque. The touch-sensitive display is attached to the mountingsurface of the display mount and the touch-sensitive display is notopaque. The processing electronics are positioned within the interiorvolume of the base.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including ahousing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual mediaand receive user inputs, processing electronics configured to operatethe touch-sensitive display, multiple wire terminals each configured tosecure one of multiple control wires from a heating, ventilation, andair conditioning system, a mounting plate configured for attaching thehousing to a mounting surface, a front cover removably attached to thehousing, and a top cover removably attached to the housing. The housingincludes a base and a display mount. The base includes a top wall, abottom wall, a front wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, afirst side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, and a secondside wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. The top wall, thebottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define aninternal volume. The ends of the top wall, the bottom wall, the firstside, and the second side wall distal from the front wall define aplanar rear face of the base. The display mount is cantilevered upwardfrom the top wall and includes a mounting surface perpendicular to thetop wall of the base. The housing is not opaque. The touch-sensitivedisplay is attached to the mounting surface of the display mount and thetouch-sensitive display is not opaque. The processing electronics arepositioned within the interior volume of the base. The wire terminalsare positioned within the internal volume. The mounting plate ispositioned within the internal volume of the base and removably attachedto the base. The mounting plate includes an aperture configured to allowthe plurality controls wires to pass through the mounting plate into theinternal volume of the base. The mounting plate includes a rear surfacethat is flush with the rear face of the base when the mounting plate isattached to the base. The front cover covers at least a portion of thefront wall and covers at least a portion of the bottom wall. The topcover covers at least a portion of the top wall, covers at least aportion of the first side wall, and covers at least a portion of thesecond side wall.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including ahousing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual mediaand receive user inputs, and processing electronics configured tooperate the touch-sensitive display. The housing includes a basedefining an internal volume and a display mount cantilevered from thebase. The display mount includes a mounting surface perpendicular to anexternal surface of the base. The housing is not opaque. Thetouch-sensitive display is attached to the mounting surface of thedisplay mount. The touch-sensitive display is not opaque. The processingelectronics are positioned within the interior volume of the base.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat for use in ahome control system for controlling building equipment. The thermostatincludes a touch-sensitive display and a housing comprising electroniccircuitry configured to monitor and control the building equipment. Thehousing is configured to attach to a mounting surface. Thetouch-sensitive display is cantilevered from the housing such that onlya first end of the touch-sensitive display is connected to the housing.

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display of the thermostat istransparent or translucent such that the mounting surface to which thethermostat is to be mounted is visible through the touch-sensitivedisplay. The touch-sensitive display may include an organiclight-emitting diode and may also be flexible. The housing may includeat least one sensor from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, an air quality sensor, a proximity sensor, an ambientlight sensor, and a biometric sensor. In addition, the housing mayfurther includes a rear surface that extends along a first plane and isconfigured to be attached to the mounting surface, and thetouch-sensitive display may extend along a second plane that issubstantially parallel to the first plane such that the first plane isspaced a distance from the second plane.

In some embodiments, the thermostat may further include a light sourceconfigured to emit ambient light. The light source may be attached tothe housing. The light source device may also be arranged to providelight to a waveguide around a perimeter of the touch-sensitive displayand be configured to emit light from the perimeter of thetouch-sensitive display. The light source may be configured to emitlight in a direction toward the mounting surface and/or in a directionaway from the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, all of the electronic components of the thermostatexcept for the touch-sensitive display are located within the housing.The housing may include a first end extending along a first plane andconfigured to attach to the mounting surface, and a second end offset adistance from the first plane and from which the touch-sensitive displayextends. The housing may include a housing body having a rear surfaceconfigured to connect to the mounting surface. The housing may alsoinclude a removable front panel having a contour that matches a contourof at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display. The removablefront panel may curve downward and rearward from a forward-most point ofthe removable front panel relative to the rear surface of the housingbody to a point of the removable front panel nearest the rear surface ofthe housing body. An upper edge of the removable front panel may belocated is adjacent a lower edge of the touch-sensitive display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view from above of a thermostat accordingto an exemplary embodiment, with visual media displayed.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view from above of the thermostat of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view from above of the thermostat of FIG.1 without visual media displayed.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view from below of the thermostat of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view from below of the thermostat of FIG. 1with a mounting plate not shown.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 with a sensor lensnot shown.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 taken along line8-8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 with a top cover notshown.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the thermostat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 with athermostat body shown separate from a mounting plate attached to a wall.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 attached to awall.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 attached to a wall.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the thermostat of FIG. 1 attached to a wall.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a thermostat according to an exemplaryembodiment, with the thermostat attached to the wall.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view from above of the thermostat of FIG.19.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a thermostat according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of a housing of the thermostat of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a thermostat according to an exemplaryembodiment, with the thermostat attached to the wall.

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view from above of the thermostat of FIG.23.

FIG. 25 is a side view of a thermostat according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view from above a thermostat according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the thermostat of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the thermostat of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, a multi-function user control deviceis shown, according to various exemplary embodiments. The user controldevice may be implanted as a thermostat to control a HVAC system. Theuser control device may be implemented as a smart hub and may beconnected to any of a variety of controllable systems and devices. Forexample, the user control device may be connected to a home automationsystem, a building automation system, an HVAC system, a lighting system,a security system, an electrical system, a sprinkler system, a homeentertainment system, and/or any other type of system that can bemonitored or controlled via a user control device. The user controldevice may be implemented in any of a variety of environments (e.g., ahome, a building, a classroom, a hotel, a healthcare facility, avehicle, etc.) and used to monitor, control, and/or facilitate userinteraction with controllable systems or devices in such environments.For example, the user control device may be a thermostat installed in ahome or building (e.g., mounted on a wall).

The user control device includes a housing that contains electroniccomponents and a touch-sensitive display for displaying visual media(e.g., information, text, graphics, etc.) to a user and receiving userinputs. The housing is selectively attached to a mounting plate to mountthe user control device to a mounting surface such as a wall. Thehousing includes a display mount or support plate that supports thetouch-sensitive display. The display mount is cantilevered verticallyfrom the base of the housing such that the entire touch-sensitivedisplay and the display mount are spaced a distance away from the wallwhen the user control device is attached to a wall. The touch-sensitivedisplay, the display mount, and a protective cover for the display arenot opaque (e.g., transparent or translucent), which minimizes thevisible footprint of the user control device to a user relative toconventional opaque user control devices. The housing may also includeone or more light sources. The light sources may be configured to emitlight toward the wall, thereby creating lighting effects on the wall.The light sources may also emit light in alternative or additionaldirections.

The user control device can be equipped with one or more of a variety ofsensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, proximity, light,vibration, motion, optical, audio, occupancy, power, security, etc.)configured to sense a variable state or condition of the environment inwhich the user control device is installed. The user control device mayinclude a variety of user interface devices (e.g., a touch-sensitivepanel, an electronic display, speakers, haptic feedback, microphone,ambient lighting, etc.) configured to facilitate user interaction withthe user control device. The user control device may include a datacommunications interface configured to facilitate communications betweenthe user control device and remote sensor units, a building automationsystem, a home automation system, HVAC equipment, mobile devices (e.g.,via WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE, LAA LTE, etc.), a communications network(e.g., a LAN, WAN, 802.11, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.),and/or any other systems or devices to which the user control device maybe connected.

The user control device may be configured to function as a connectedsmart hub. For example, the user control device may be configured toreceive voice commands from a user and control connected equipment inresponse to the voice commands. The user control device may beconfigured to connect to mobile devices (e.g., a user's phone, tablet,laptop, etc.) or other networked devices (e.g., a desktop computer) toallow remote monitoring and control of connected systems. The usercontrol device may be configured to detect the occupancy of a room orspace in which the user control device is installed and may perform avariety of occupancy-based control processes. The user control devicemay monitor the performance of connected equipment (e.g., HVACequipment) and may perform diagnostics based on data received from theHVAC equipment.

The user control device may function as a wireless communications hub(e.g., a wireless router, an access point, etc.) and may be configuredto bridge communications between various systems and devices. Forexample, the user control device may include a cellular communicationstransceiver, a modem, an Ethernet transceiver, or other communicationshardware configured to communicate with an external communicationsnetwork (e.g., a cellular network, a WAN, the Internet, etc.). The usercontrol device may include a WiFi transceiver configured to communicatewith nearby mobile devices. The user control device may be configured tobridge communications between mobile devices and external communicationsnetworks. This functionality allows the user control device to replacenetworking equipment (e.g., a modem, a wireless router, etc.) inbuilding or vehicle and to provide Internet connectivity. For example,the user control device may function as a WiFi hotspot or a micro cellwithin a building or vehicle and may communicate with the Internet viaan integrated Ethernet transceiver, a cellular transceiver (e.g., forlocations not serviced by an Internet service provider), a coaxialcable, or other data communications hardware.

The user control device may receive weather forecasts from a weatherservice and severe weather alerts. The user control device may haveambient lighting components that emit specific light colors or patternsto indicate sever weather alerts or other alerts. The user controldevice may also receive utility rate information from a utilityprovider. The user control device may use the weather forecasts inconjunction with the utility rate information to optimize (e.g.,minimize) the energy consumption of the home or building. In someembodiments, the user control device generates a utility bill forecastand recommends set point modifications to reduce energy consumption orenergy cost. In some embodiments, the user control device receivesenergy consumption information for other homes/buildings from a remotesystem and compares the energy consumption of connected HVAC equipmentto the energy consumption of the other homes/buildings.

FIGS. 1-18 illustrate a multi-function user control device or thermostat100, according to an exemplary embodiment. The thermostat 100 isconfigured to be mounted on a wall (e.g., a vertical wall within adwelling, home, building, etc.) or other suitable mounting location(e.g., a ledge, a control panel, or other surface of an object within abuilding space, furniture, a dashboard, a vehicle seat, or other vehiclesurface, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 14, the thermostat 100 includes a housing 102, atouch-sensitive display 104, a protective cover 106 for the display 104,a face plate or front cover 108, a back plate or mounting plate 110, oneor more circuit boards, shown as circuit board 112 and circuit board114, a sensor lens or window 116, and a molding or top cover 118 thatcovers a portion of the housing 102. The assembled components of thethermostat 100 other than the mounting plate 110 and any fastener orother components used to fasten the mounting plate to the mountinglocation are referred to as the “thermostat body.”

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the housing 102 includes a main portion orbase 120 and a cantilevered plate or display mount 122 extending fromthe front of the base 120. The base 120 defines a pocket or volume 124that the circuit boards 112 and 114 are located within. The volume 124is defined by a front wall 126, two side walls 128 and 130, a top wall132, and a bottom wall 134, and is closed by the mounting plate 110 whenthe thermostat body is attached to the mounting plate 110. The frontwall 126 connects the top wall 132 to the bottom wall 134. The two sidewalls 128 and 130 connect the top wall 132 to the bottom wall 134. Thebottom wall 134 angles downward from the vertical front wall 126 at anangel of about 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle is greater orsmaller (e.g., between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In other embodiments,the bottom wall or a portion of the bottom wall is curved. In otherembodiments, the base 120 of the housing 102 is substantially square orrectangular in cross-section. In other embodiments, the front wall isomitted and an angled or curved bottom wall connects directly to the topwall (e.g., resulting in a housing that is triangular in cross-section).In some embodiments, the front wall is omitted and the volume 124 isopen to the front of the base 120, thereby allowing front facing accessto the interior of the base 120.

As shown in FIG. 8, the top wall 132 of the base 120 has two sections136 and 138 with section 138 recessed from section 136 (e.g., thinner,having a smaller vertical dimension, having a smaller height, etc.). Thesection 138 receives a portion of the top cover 118 so that the topsurface of the top cover 118 is flush with the top surface of thesection 136 of the top wall 132 as shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, a portion of the front wall 126 extends pastthe top wall 132 to form a display mount 122 (back plate, mountingplate). The display mount 122 is cantilevered from the base 120. Thedisplay mount 122 provides a mounting surface 142 for attaching thedisplay 104 to the housing 102. The display mount 122 has a height 144(measured from the top surface of the top wall 132, which is the topsurface of the section 136 in the illustrated embodiment, to a top orfree end 145, a width 146 measured from a first or left side 148 to asecond or right side 150, and a thickness 148 measured from the front ormounting surface 142 to a rear or back surface 152. The mounting surface142 is spaced apart or recessed from the front surface of the portion ofthe front wall 126 that forms the base 120 by a thickness 149 to form aledge 151 to support the bottom edges of the touch-sensitive display 104and the protective cover 106. The thickness 149 is the same as thethickness of the touch-sensitive display 104 to that the ledge 151supports the bottom of the display 104.

As illustrated, the display mount 122 extends upwardly in a cantileveredfashion from the base 120 so that the display mount 122 is located abovethe base in the normal operating position of the thermostat. Inalternative embodiments, the display mount extends downwardly in acantilevered fashion from the base so that the display mount is locatedbelow the base in the normal operating position of the thermostat. Inalternative embodiments, the display mount extends sideways in acantilevered fashion from the base so that the display mount is locatedeven with and to one side of the base in the normal operating positionof the thermostat.

The display mount 122 may be configured as a landscape display with thewidth 146 greater than the height 144 (as shown in FIGS. 1-18), as aportrait display with the width 146 less than the height 144 (as shownin FIGS. 26-28), or as a square display with the width 146 equal to theheight 144. The top surface of the top wall 132 and the top side 145 ofthe display mount 122 are parallel to one another. The left side 148 andthe right side 150 are parallel to one another. The mounting surface 142and the back surface 152 are parallel to one another. The top side 145is perpendicular to the left side 148 and the right side 150. In someembodiments, the display mount 122 is arranged with the four sides notarranged in a rectangle or square (e.g., a parallelogram, a rhombus, atrapezoid, etc.) in shapes with more or fewer than four sides (e.g., atriangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.), as a circle, as an oval orellipse, or other shape suitable for mounting a display.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 13, a rear or back face 154 of the base 120of the housing 102 is defined by the ends of the top wall 132, the sidewalls 128 and 130, and the bottom wall 134 located opposite the frontwall 126. The rear face 154 is arranged vertically and is planar tofacilitate mounting the thermostat body to a vertical wall. As shown inFIG. 8, the back surface 152 of the display mount 122 is spaced apartfrom the rear face 154 of the base 120 by a horizontal distance 156. Asillustrated, the horizontal distance 156 is constant over the height 144of the display mount so that the back surface 152 of the display mount122 is parallel to the rear face 154 of the base 120. The mountingsurface 142 of the display mount 122 is perpendicular to the top surfaceof the top wall 132. The back surface 152 of the display mount 122 isperpendicular to the top surface of the top wall 132. In otherembodiments the horizontal distance 156 may decrease from the top wall132 of the base to the top side 145 of the display mount 122 so that thedisplay mount 122 angles toward the wall. In other embodiments thehorizontal distance 156 may increase from the top wall 132 of the baseto the top side 145 of the display mount 122 so that the display mount122 angles away from the wall. As illustrated, the display mount 122 isa portion of the front wall 126 (i.e., the portion extending upward fromthe top surface of the top wall 132) to the freestanding top end 145. Inother embodiments, the display mount 122 is a separate structure fromthe front wall 126. As illustrated, the display mount 122 is positionedat the front of the base 120 so that the mounting surface 142 and thefront surface of the front wall 126 are coplanar. In other embodiments,the display mount 122 is positioned between the front of the base 120and the rear face 154 of the base 120, but is spaced apart from the rearface 154 by the horizontal distance 156 (i.e., the back surface 152 ofthe display mount 122 is not coplanar with the rear face 154 of the base120).

As shown in FIG. 8, the touch-sensitive display 104 is attached to themounting surface 142 of the display mount 122 (e.g., by adhesive orother appropriate fastening techniques). The protective cover 106 isattached to front surface of the display 104 to protect the display 104from impacts and other damage. The protective cover 106 is transparentso as to not impair the display function of the touch-sensitive display104. In some embodiments, the protective cover 106 is omitted. In otherembodiments, the protective cover is an integral component of thedisplay 104.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing102 is a single integrally formed component that includes both the base120 and the display mount 122. Forming the housing 102 as a singleintegral component helps the thermostat 100 withstand the torque appliedabout the connecting point between the display mount 122 and the base120 when a user pushes on the touch-sensitive display 104. Therelatively large thickness 148 of the display mount 122 also helpswithstand this torque.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the touch-sensitive display 104 may be atouchscreen or other type of electronic display configured to presentinformation to a user in a visual format (e.g., as text, graphics, etc.)and receive input from a user (e.g., via a touch-sensitive panel). Forexample, the touch-sensitive display 104 may include a touch-sensitivepanel layered on top of an electronic visual display. A user can provideinputs through simple or multi-touch gestures by touching the display104 with one or more fingers and/or with a stylus or pen. Thetouch-sensitive display 104 can use any of a variety of touch-sensingtechnologies to receive user inputs, such as capacitive sensing (e.g.,surface capacitance, projected capacitance, mutual capacitance,self-capacitance, etc.), resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave,infrared grid, infrared acrylic projection, optical imaging, dispersivesignal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, or other touch-sensitivetechnologies known in the art. Many of these technologies allow formulti-touch responsiveness of display 104 allowing registration of touchin two or even more locations at once. The display may use any of avariety of display technologies such as light emitting diode (LED),organic light-emitting diode (OLED), liquid-crystal display (LCD),organic light-emitting transistor (OLET), surface-conductionelectron-emitter display (SED), field emission display (FED), digitallight processing (DLP), liquid crystal on silicon (LCoC), or any otherdisplay technologies known in the art. In some embodiments, thetouch-sensitive display 104 is configured to present visual media (e.g.,text, graphics, etc.) without requiring a backlight.

As shown in FIG. 14, the touch-sensitive display 104, the protectivecover 106, and the display mount 122 (collectively, the “displayassembly”) are not opaque, which allows the surface behind displayassembly to be seen through the display assembly by a user operating orobserving the thermostat 100. In embodiments omitting the protectivecover 106 or in which a protective cover is an integral component of thetouch-sensitive display 104, the “display assembly” consists of thetouch-sensitive display 104 and the display mount 122. Not opaque meansthat at least some visible light is able to pass through the componentand includes transparent and translucent components. For example, whenthe thermostat 100 is mounted on a wall, the wall is visible through thedisplay assembly. This allows the thermostat to blend in to itssurroundings when not in use (e.g. when no visual media is beingdisplayed on the touch screen display). In the illustrated embodiment,the entire housing 102 is not opaque. In other embodiments, only thedisplay mount 122 portion of the housing is not opaque. The housing 102may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., polymers includingacrylics, metals, composite materials, laminates, etc.)

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the housing 102 may contain variouselectronic components, including one or more sensors, componentsconfigured to perform control functions (e.g., circuit boards,processing circuits, memory, a processor, etc.), components configuredto facilitate communications (e.g., a WiFi transceiver, a cellulartransceiver, a communications interface, etc.), and componentsconfigured to provide a visual display via the touch-sensitive display104 (e.g., a video card or module, etc.).

The sensors may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, amotion or occupancy sensor (e.g., a passive infrared sensor), an airquality sensor (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, allergens, smoke,etc.), a proximity sensor (e.g., a thermopile to detect the presence ofa human and/or NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, sensors to detect the presence of amobile device, etc.), a camera, a microphone, a light sensor, avibration sensor, or any other type of sensor configured to measure avariable state or condition of the environment in which the thermostat100 is installed. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is used toturn on the display 104 to present visual media when the user is closeto the thermostat 100 and turn off the display 104 when the user is notclose to the thermostat 100, leading to less power usage and longerdisplay life. Some sensors such as a proximity sensor, a motion sensor,a camera, a light sensor, or an optical sensor may positioned within thehousing 102 to monitor the space near the thermostat 100 through thesensor lens 116. The lens 116 is not opaque and allows at least thefrequencies of light necessary for the particular sensor to function topass therethrough, allowing the sensor to “see” or “look” through thelens 116.

In other embodiments, one or more sensors may be located external to thehousing 102 and may provide input to the thermostat 100 via a datacommunications link. For example, one or more sensors may be installedin a gang box behind the thermostat 100, installed in a separate gangbox mounted within the same wall to which the thermostat 100 is mounted,or otherwise located throughout the room or space monitored orcontrolled by the thermostat 100 (e.g., in a wall, in a ceiling panel,in an open volume of the room or space, in a duct providing airflow tothe room or space or receiving airflow from the room or space, etc.).This allows the thermostat 100 to monitor the input from a variety ofsensors positioned at disparate locations. For example, a humiditysensor may be positioned in a wall and configured to measure thehumidity within the wall (e.g., to detect water leakage or burst pipes).

As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the circuit boards 112 and 114 mayinclude one or more sensors (e.g., a temperature sensor, a humiditysensor, etc.), communications electronics, a processing circuit, and/orother electronics configured to facilitate the functions of thethermostat 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the circuit boards 112 and 114 areoriented substantially parallel to the display mount 122 and the rearface 154 of the base 120. The circuit boards 112 and 114 may be spacedapart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the display mount122 and the rear face 154. In other embodiments, one or both of thecircuit boards 112 and 114 may be oriented substantially perpendicularto the display mount 122 and the rear face 154.

In some embodiments, the circuit board 112 functions at least in part asa sensor board and has one or more sensors, including a proximity sensor158, a motion or occupancy sensor 160, and a temperature sensor 162. Insome embodiments, the circuit board 114 functions at least in part ascontrol board and includes processing electronics 164, a power supply orbattery 166, and input terminals 168 for receiving wiring from the HVACsystem to be controlled by the thermostat. The processing electronics164 are coupled (e.g., by a cable or wiring harness) to thetouch-sensitive display 104 to receive user inputs from the display 104and provide outputs to control the display 104 to control operation ofthe display 104. In some embodiments, the power supply 166 isrechargeable. In some embodiments, the power supply 166 can be replacedby the user. The processing electronics can include a processor andmemory device. Processor can be implemented as a general purposeprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one ormore field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. Memorydevice (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) is one or moredevices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) forstoring data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating thevarious processes, layers and modules described in the presentapplication. Memory device may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory. Memory device may include database components,object code components, script components, or any other type ofinformation structure for supporting the various activities andinformation structures described in the present application. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, memory device is communicably connected toprocessor via processing circuit and includes computer code forexecuting (e.g., by processing circuit and/or processor) one or moreprocesses described herein. In some embodiments, the electroniccomponents are found on a single circuit board, are variouslydistributed among the two circuit boards 112 and 114, or are variouslydistributed among more than two circuit boards.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 14, the front cover 108 covers theportion of the front wall 126 located below the display mount 122, thebottom wall 134, and portions of the two side walls 128 and 130 of thehousing 102. The front cover 108 may be formed from a variety ofmaterials (e.g., polymers including acrylics, metals, compositematerials, laminates, etc.). The front cover 108 includes a front wall170 and a bottom wall 172 that correspond to or match the front wall 126and the bottom wall 134 of the housing 102. In the illustratedembodiment, the front cover 108 is removably attached to the housing 102(e.g., by magnets, by a snap-fit connection, by screws or othermechanical fasteners). Removably attaching the front cover 108 allowsthe end-user to customize the appearance of the thermostat 100 byallowing him to select amongst front covers made of different materialsor having different color or finishes. In some embodiments, the frontcover 108 is attached to the housing 102 by a hinge. In someembodiments, the front cover 108 is omitted and the aperture for thesensor lens is formed in the housing. As shown in FIG. 8, the frontcover 108 and the protective cover 106 combine to form a continuous orflush front surface of the thermostat 100.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the sensor lens 116 is positioned within anaperture or opening 171 formed through the bottom wall 134 of the frontcover 108 and through the bottom wall 134 of the base 120 of the housing102. As illustrated, the aperture 171 is three-sided with the open sidelocated at the rear face 154 of the housing 102. This positions the lens116 and the aperture 171 near the lower end of the front cover 108 andnear the lower end of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the lens 116and the aperture 171 are positioned near the upper end of the frontcover 108 and near the upper end of the housing 102 (e.g., near thedisplay assembly). The lens 116 may be secured in the aperture 171 by afriction or snap fit, adhesive, or other appropriate fasteningtechnique. In some embodiments, the thermostat 100 includes multiplesensor lenses located in corresponding apertures in the front cover 108or in corresponding apertures in the housing 102 or the top cover 118.

As shown in FIG. 14, the top cover 118 is removably attached to thehousing 102. The top cover 118 include a top wall 119 and two side walls121 and 123 that are cantilevered downward form the top wall 119. Thetop wall 119 of the top cover 118 covers a portion of the top wall 132of the base 120 and the two side walls 121 and 123 of the top cover 118cover portions of the two side walls 128 and 130 of the base 120. Thetop cover 118 includes multiple apertures or openings 174 that allowincreased air flow to the housing 102, which may aid in cooling theelectronic components located within the housing 102. In the illustratedembodiment, the apertures 174 are a series of relatively small circularperforations. In other embodiments, the apertures 174 may be larger,different shapes, and/or formed as slots or louvers. The top cover 118may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., polymers includingacrylics, metals, composite materials, laminates, etc.). In theillustrated embodiment, the top cover 118 is removably attached to thehousing 102 (e.g., by magnets, by a snap-fit connection, by screws orother mechanical fasteners). Removably attaching the top cover 118allows the end-user to customize the appearance of the thermostat 100 byallowing him to select amongst top covers made of different materials orhaving different color or finishes. In some embodiments, the top cover118 is attached to the housing 102 by a hinge. In some embodiments, thetop cover 118 is omitted from the thermostat 100.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, 14, and 15 the mounting plate 110 includes amain portion or base 176 and four attachment tabs 178 that extendperpendicularly away from the base 176. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 15, themounting plate 110 includes a rear surface 177 that is configured toplaced flush against the wall 200 or other surface that thermostat 100is to be mounted to. The base 176 includes an aperture or opening 180that is and configured to allow control wiring from the HVAC system tobe controlled by the thermostat 100 to pass through the mounting plate110 and to be connected to the input terminals 168 located within thehousing 102. As illustrated, the aperture 180 is centrally located inthe base 176. Two fastener apertures or openings 182 and 184 are formedthrough the base 176 and are spaced apart from one another. Eachaperture 182 and 184 allows a screw 186 or other mechanical fastener topass through the base 176 to attach the mounting plate 110 to a wall orother mounting location. As illustrated, the aperture 182 is circularand the aperture 184 is an elongated slot. The elongated slot allows theuser to pivot the mounting plate 110 relative to the mounting holes inthe wall to level the mounting plate 110 horizontally before tighteningthe fasteners to fix the mounting plate 110 in place on the wall. Insome embodiments the apertures 182 and 184 are spaced apart by astandard thermostat mounting distance so that the thermostat 100 can beused to replace an existing thermostat without having to drill newmounting holes into the wall that the thermostat 100 is being attachedto.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 14, and 15 the attachment tabs 178 are arranged toextend into the volume 124 within the base 120 of the housing 102. Eachtab 178 includes an aperture or opening 188 for receiving a screw orother fastener to attach the housing 102 to the mounting plate 110. Asshown in FIG. 5, the housing 102 includes corresponding apertures oropenings 190 formed in the top wall 132 and the bottom wall 134 to allowthe fastener to extend through the housing 102 to the attachment tab.One or both of each pair of apertures 188 and 190 may be threaded foruse with a threaded fastener. After the mounting plate 110 is attachedto the wall and the wires are connected to the wire terminals 168 (asshown in FIG. 15), the thermostat body is positioned on the mountingplate 110 and the housing 102 is attached to the mounting plate 110 (asshown in FIG. 16). The apertures 190 in the top wall 132 are covered bythe top cover 118 and the apertures 190 in the bottom wall 134 arecovered by the front cover 108. In some embodiments, the attachment tabs178 are replaced by snap-fit connections, spring-biased arms, or otherattachment structures suitable for attaching the housing 102 to themounting plate 110. As shown in FIG. 8, when the housing 102 is attachedto the mounting plate 110, the mounting plate 110 is positioned withinthe volume 124 formed in the interior of the housing 102 with the rearsurface 177 of the mounting plate 176 flush with the rear face 154 ofthe base 120 of the housing 102. This covers the mounting plate 110 fromview by an observer or user of the thermostat 100.

As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the thermostat 100 is attached to a wall 200.The display assembly (e.g., the touch-sensitive display 104, theprotective cover 106, and the display mount 122) are not opaque, whichallows a user or observer to see the wall 200 through the displayassembly. When no visual media is being displayed on the touch-sensitivedisplay 104, the display assembly may blend in to its surroundings,reducing its visual impact on the wall 200 and the space surrounding thewall 200. For example, an observer sees the color of a painted wall 200through the display assembly with only the opaque components of thethermostat 100 (e.g., the front cover 108 and the top cover 118)obscuring or covering the observer's view of the wall 200. This has lessof a visual impact in terms of opaque components covering the wall, thana conventional thermostat where the entirety of the thermostat isopaque. The visual impact can further be reduced by matching the colorof the front cover 108 and the top cover 118 to the color of the wall.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the display assembly is spaced apart fromthe wall 200 with the back surface 152 of the display mount 122 spacedapart from the wall 200 by the horizontal distance 156, leaving a gap202 between the display mount 122 and the wall 200. In conventionalthermostats there is no gap between the display assembly and the walllike the gap 202 which is filled with the ambient atmosphere found nearthe thermostat 100. Conventional thermostats are flush mounted with thewall so that the total perimeter or substantially the total perimeter ofthe thermostat is in contact with the wall or a mounting plate having atotal perimeter the same or larger than the total perimeter of thethermostat is in contact with the wall. In contrast as shown in FIG. 13for the thermostat 100, the perimeter 204 of the rear face 154 of thebase 120 of the housing 102 that is in contact with the wall 200 is muchless than total perimeter 206 of the housing 102 (i.e., the combinedperimeter of the back surface 152 of the display mount 122 and theperimeter 204 of the rear face 154 of the base 120). The gap 202 and thereduced perimeter 204 contacting the wall 200 each help the temperaturesensor 162 of the thermostat read conditions as close to the ambientconditions of the room as possible by separating the temperature sensorfrom wall 200, which can frequently be at a lower temperature thanambient conditions in the room. The gap 202 and the reduced perimeter204 contacting the wall 200 also help to improve airflow around thetouch-sensitive display 104, thereby dissipating heat that would betransferred to the housing and other components of a conventionalthermostat.

Referring to FIGS. 19-20, an alternative exemplary embodiment of thethermostat 100 is illustrated. Standoffs or projections 208 extendoutward from the back surface 152 of the display mount and areconfigured to contact the wall 200 that the thermostat 100 is mountedto. The standoffs 208 may be part of a single integrally formed housing102 or may be separate components attached to the display mount (e.g.,by adhesive, mechanical fasteners, heat staking or other appropriateattachment technique). The standoffs 208 help to withstand the torqueapplied about the connecting point between the display mount 122 and thebase 120 when a user pushes on the touch-sensitive display 104. In theillustrated embodiments, three standoffs 208 are provided. In otherembodiments, more or fewer standoffs are provided.

Referring to FIGS. 21-24, the thermostat 100 may include one or morelight sources 210 (e.g., light emitting diodes) configured to provideambient lighting and/or other lighting effects associated with thethermostat 100. FIGS. 21-22 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of thethermostat 100 with a display mount 122 that includes a waveguide 212 todirect light from the light sources 210 within the display mount 122. Asillustrated, the waveguide 212 forms a frame around three sides of thedisplay mount 122 (the top, left, and right sides). The waveguide 212may include one or more optical fibers located within or attached to thedisplay mount 122. FIGS. 23-24 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of thethermostat 100 with multiple light sources 210 provided in the section136 of the top wall 132 of the base 120 of the housing 102. In someembodiments, the light sources 210, with the waveguide 212 or withoutthe wave guide (FIG. 23), are configured to emit light toward the wallor other surface that the thermostat 100 is mounted to. When white lightis directed toward the wall, the display assembly (e.g., thetouch-sensitive display 104, the protective cover 106, and the displaymount 122) appears to be more transparent to the user, further helpingthe display assembly blend in to its background. The light sources 210may also be controlled to provide notices or alerts to a user (e.g.,yellow for alerts or warnings, red for emergencies, etc.). Steady orflashing light may also provide different notices or alerts to a user(e.g., flashing light indicating an alert that has not been acknowledgedby the user and solid light to indicate an alert that has beenacknowledged by the user. The light sources 210 may be controllable bythe user (e.g., the color, brightness, or other characteristics oflight) to provide user-desired mood or ambient lighting.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the thermostat 100 havingthe ability to receive a variety of interchangeable modules orcomponents. The housing 102 includes an aperture or opening 214 forreceiving a module 216, which electrically connects to one of thecircuit boards 112 and 114 or other electronic component to provideadditional functionality to the thermostat 100. The various modules 216allow the user to upgrade or customize the thermostat 100 to includefeatures of the user's choosing. For example, the thermostat 100 mayinclude any of the features of the modular thermostat described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/260,141 filed Nov. 25, 2015, andany of the features of the thermostat described in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/275,199, filed Jan. 5, 2016, the entireties ofeach of which are incorporated by reference herein. The modules 216 mayinclude communication transceivers (e.g., ZIGBEE, ZWAVE, near fieldcommunication, cellular, etc.), additional sensors, an additional powersupply, or other electronic components. In some embodiments, thethermostat 100 provides for the use of more than one module 216 andincludes the corresponding apertures 214 in the housing 102. A wiredport 218 (e.g., a USB port) may be provided to allow external wiredcommunication and or power supply to and from the electronic componentsof the thermostat 100. An aperture 220 may be provided to allow accessto a reset button located within the housing to allow a user to insert adevice (e.g., pen, paperclip, etc.) to manually power down and restartthe thermostat 100.

FIGS. 26-28 illustrate a multi-function user control device orthermostat 300, according to an exemplary embodiment. The thermostat 300is substantially similar to the thermostat 300. Components similar tothose of the thermostat 100 are numbered in the 300s instead of the100s. The thermostat 300 includes a portrait display assembly in whichthe touch-sensitive display 302, the display mount 322, and theprotective cover 306 (if included separate from the display 302) have aheight 344 greater than the width 346.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown inthe various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may bereversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discreteelements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” etc.) are used to describe theorientation of various elements relative to one another with the usercontrol device in its normal operating position as illustrated in thedrawings.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinationsof the above are also included within the scope of machine-readablemedia. Machine-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform acertain function or group of functions.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps maybe performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variationwill depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standardprogramming techniques with rule based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparisonsteps and decision steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermostat, comprising: a housing, comprising:a base including a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall connecting thetop wall to the bottom wall, a first side wall connecting the top wallto the bottom wall, and a second side wall connecting the top wall tothe bottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, the first sidewall, and the second side wall define an internal volume; and a displaymount cantilevered upward from the top wall, the display mount includinga mounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of the base; whereinthe housing is not opaque; a touch-sensitive display configured todisplay visual media and receive user inputs, wherein thetouch-sensitive display is attached to the mounting surface of thedisplay mount, and wherein the touch-sensitive display is not opaque;and processing electronics positioned within the interior volume of thebase, wherein the processing electronics are configured to operate thetouch-sensitive display.
 2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein thehousing is a single integral component.
 3. The thermostat of claim 2,further comprising: a plurality of wire terminals positioned within theinternal volume and each configured to secure one of a plurality ofcontrol wires from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.4. The thermostat of claim 3, further comprising: a mounting plateconfigured for attaching the housing to a mounting surface, wherein themounting plate is positioned within the internal volume of the base andremovably attached to the base, and wherein the mounting plate includesan aperture configured to allow the plurality controls wires to passthrough the mounting plate into the internal volume of the base.
 5. Thethermostat of claim 4, wherein the ends of the top wall, the bottomwall, the first side, and the second side wall distal from the frontwall define a planar rear face of the base; and wherein the mountingplate includes a rear surface that is flush with the rear face of thebase when the mounting plate is attached to the base.
 6. The thermostatof claim 1, further comprising: a front cover removably attached to thehousing, wherein the front cover covers at least a portion of the frontwall and covers at least a portion of the bottom wall.
 7. The thermostatof claim 6, further comprising: a sensor lens positioned in an apertureformed through the front cover and the base; and a sensor positionedwithin the internal volume of the base and aligned with the sensor lens.8. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor.9. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the sensor is an occupancy sensor.10. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising: a top cover removablyattached to the housing, wherein the top cover covers at least a portionof the top wall, covers at least a portion of the first side wall, andcovers at least a portion of the second side wall.
 11. The thermostat ofclaim 1, further comprising: a protective cover attached to the touchsensitive display so that the touch sensitive display is positionedbetween the protective cover and the display mount.
 12. The thermostatof claim 1, wherein the housing is transparent.
 13. The thermostat ofclaim 1, wherein the housing is translucent.
 14. The thermostat of claim1, wherein the touch-sensitive display is transparent.
 15. Thethermostat of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive display istranslucent.
 16. A thermostat, comprising: a housing, comprising: a baseincluding a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall connecting the topwall to the bottom wall, a first side wall connecting the top wall tothe bottom wall, and a second side wall connecting the top wall to thebottom wall, wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, the first side wall,and the second side wall define an internal volume, and wherein the endsof the top wall, the bottom wall, the first side, and the second sidewall distal from the front wall define a planar rear face of the base;and a display mount cantilevered upward from the top wall, the displaymount including a mounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of thebase; wherein the housing is not opaque; a touch-sensitive displayconfigured to display visual media and receive user inputs, wherein thetouch-sensitive display is attached to the mounting surface of thedisplay mount, and wherein the touch-sensitive display is not opaque;processing electronics positioned within the interior volume of thebase, wherein the processing electronics are configured to operate thetouch-sensitive display; a plurality of wire terminals positioned withinthe internal volume and each configured to secure one of a plurality ofcontrol wires from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system;a mounting plate configured for attaching the housing to a mountingsurface, wherein the mounting plate is positioned within the internalvolume of the base and removably attached to the base, wherein themounting plate includes an aperture configured to allow the pluralitycontrols wires to pass through the mounting plate into the internalvolume of the base, and wherein the mounting plate includes a rearsurface that is flush with the rear face of the base when the mountingplate is attached to the base; a front cover removably attached to thehousing, wherein the front cover covers at least a portion of the frontwall and covers at least a portion of the bottom wall; and a top coverremovably attached to the housing, wherein the top cover covers at leasta portion of the top wall, covers at least a portion of the first sidewall, and covers at least a portion of the second side wall.
 17. Thethermostat of claim 16, wherein the housing is a single integralcomponent.
 18. A thermostat, comprising: a housing, comprising: a basedefining an internal volume; and a display mount cantilevered from thebase, the display mount including a mounting surface perpendicular to anexternal surface of the base; wherein the housing is not opaque; atouch-sensitive display configured to display visual media and receiveuser inputs, wherein the touch-sensitive display is attached to themounting surface of the display mount, and wherein the touch-sensitivedisplay is not opaque; and processing electronics positioned within theinterior volume of the base, wherein the processing electronics areconfigured to operate the touch-sensitive display.
 19. The thermostat ofclaim 18, wherein the housing is a single integral component.
 20. Thethermostat of claim 19, wherein the housing and the touch-sensitivedisplay are translucent.